Do you use the 5-second rule if your food hits the floor by mistake?

Question

For those not familiar, the 5 second rule is when you will still pick up your food and eat it if it's been on the floor less than 5 seconds.

My brother has done this, but personally, I think it's disgusting. So how about you? Have you ever done this or still continue to use this rule today?

Lliam · Accepted Answer

It depends on what kind of food it is, how it lands, and what kind of surface it lands on. I mean, if I drop a potato chip or cookie on the carpet, I'll inspect it for cat hair or anything else, maybe blow it off, and eat it.
I'm not germophobic but I don't like eating dirt and filth.

BonzoInBitburg · Accepted Answer

As soon as any food hits my floor my dog eats it. She would probably be ok with a 5 hour rule though

EmmaMary · Accepted Answer

@ez-bri-z_v2  Personally I've never, ever heard of this... However I can assure you, that under no circumstances whatsoever, we will ever engage in such a filthy, disgusting act. By the way... Thank you so much for this rather "interesting" article! xxx

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Vegetables grow on the ground and we still eat them. How often have you plucked fruit off a bush and ate without washing? As for dropping food at home, the dog can run faster than I can bend over.

James The Foodie · Accepted Answer

I tend to be cautious with the 5-second rule. While some believe a quick retrieval minimizes contamination, it's not always reliable. However, in a clean environment, like my own kitchen, I might consider it, especially if the dish is something irresistible like homemade pasta or sushi. Taking a moment to indulge in flavors is worth ensuring safety and cleanliness first. 🍝🍣

FreyaRed · Answer

Depends how clean and sterile your floor is. I mean a dirty wool carpet where dogs run around isn't something I would eat. On sterile ceramic tiles which are cleaned regularly are chances you would eat, you don't want to eat, much higher.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

A testament to the erosion of American education. In other words, insane. 🤢🤢🤢

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

There's this funny situation where, in person, I just have this one friend who's afraid to eat any food touching an interior floor that was cleaned today or yesterday.

However since I reached GaG, I keep looking at people who, for the most part, seem to be germophobic. My logical conclusion is that there's something culturally orchestrated to explain this statistical anomaly...

... Unless GaG attracts an unusual amount of germophobic traits?

TrimmedTip · Answer

Yeah, I’ve done it. Depends on the floor and the food, honestly. If it’s something dry and the floor looks clean, I might go for it. Sticky food or a gross floor? That’s a no. The 5-second rule is more of a mental thing than a real safety rule—but yeah, I think most people have used it at least once.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

I do, to a degree. If it’s something like a cookie or anything with a bit of a hardness to it I’ll usually pick it up, clean off any dusty bits that might have touched it, and tuck in. If it’s anything soft like a sandwich, or any kind of meat or protein, I clean up the mess and toss it

AyChingao · Answer

If it's an M&M yep, absolutely. If I drop, say a slice of buttered bread and it splacks to the floor butter side down, no way in hell... floor condition and type of food, dry and pretty non porous? yep! Slice of lunchmeat or blob of chili... nope

RingOfFire · Answer

The so-called five second rule is a really dumb fairytale. There is absolutely nothing that is a "rule" about it it is a complete fantasy. The food can be contaminated in a fraction of a millisecond when it hits the floor so it is unsafe to just pick it up and eat it even if it's less than 5 seconds.

BazookaTrouper · Answer

Depends on the food and  how dirty  the floor is that it falls on. If the floor is like a basement floor and if it was soft, then that would be a hard no. But if it was like a potato chip or cheeto and it fell on a relatively well-cleaned carpet or hard floor, then I would dust it off and still have it. You can't build a resistant immune system by being a bubble baby.

Caroline91 · Answer

I sure do. I throw it in the trash in the next 5 seconds.

Jennz6 · Answer

Yes, in most cases it’s okay. I keep my tile floor clean, and if I drop an M & M on the floor I will pick it up and eat it but if it’s something like a piece of buttered bread I will throw it away.

exitseven · Answer

The 5 second rule has no basis in fact. That being said it depends on where the food lands. My floors are pretty clean, outdoors is a different story.

AviatorTom · Answer

It depends. If it's a food I really like and want to eat and the floor looks clean, I use the 5 second rule... unless my wife is looking. 😉

queenofcardio · Answer

No. It's trash if it's anywhere except my plate

Nikki1989 · Answer

Nope, it is dog food at that point.

NordicInScandinavia · Answer

Absolutely not. Wouldn't matter what or how squeaky clean the floor is.

lorenzomichael · Answer

Out in public absolutely positively fuck no. However it depends what it is I’m putting in my mouth the Time it fell and it has to be my floor and my floor only.

Kayla45 · Answer

Did our ancestors say 5 second rule before eating raw meat with their canines?

jshm2 · Answer

No. I tend to wait 10 seconds, and then if I still don't want it, move on.

Agape93 · Answer

Yeah. My floors clean, I don't give a shit. At worse I'll wash it off real quick.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Of course I'm poor I can't afford to be wasting food like that.

fonduegirl · Answer

If the food was dry, I see no harm in picking it

Shiprex · Answer

YES I do although 5 is just a number. If It's been there for longer I may still give it a go.

Briennette · Answer

Not anymore. It's an immediate ew now. I used to let it slide. can't now

Likes2drive · Answer

Depends on the floor that it hits because if it’s at a restaurant no way but if it’s at my home, it will be OK.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

I don't typically drop my food but yes the five-second rule still applies. Or you could send it to Africa, they always like to have food.

jamesgoldman · Answer

Dry food on a my floor, sure Wet food never nor other floors

najekim · Answer

We don't even have 5 seconds. Our cats pounced on anything that drops from the table in a heartbeat!

Staximus · Answer

That depends on how recently I've mopped the floor

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on the floor and what kind of food. If it's dry food, and clean floor, I usually use the 5 second rule.

Charliefretz329 · Answer

Depends lol how hungry I am and how dirty the floor and the type of food

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

No, absolutely not. That’s gross in my opinion. Once food makes contact with the floor, it’s trash 🚮

BLP11520 · Answer

no I do not my dog track a lot of dirt in the house☹️

qwerty2469 · Answer

Lol no. 5 seconds is for cowards. If it isn't a dirt road or poops floor I dont count i just eat it

cora1 · Answer

I doubt it’s 5 seconds

Flower7 · Answer

No, I would just throw it away.

leahzrc · Answer

I will not eat it lol

Bricealan · Answer

@ez-bri-z_v2 I do, not smart, but I do.

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Depends if it's wet or dry food lol

Babygirl_S · Answer

No! It makes no sense

BigSwingingBalls · Answer

1-second rule is better

msc545 · Answer

No if I drop it I throw it out.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

Depends on what floor.

CubaPirate · Answer

Absolutely 💯 %

Espreso9 · Answer

Sometimes if hit the floor.

Mgpretty23 · Answer

Heck no

Iron_Man · Answer

No i dont

DCVsMarvel2 · Answer

Nope

Sam1133 · Answer

Fuck no

eagle1951 · Answer

no way

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